KC 4 Safe Streets

New speed humps being installed to make KC streets safer. Here’s how to request one

"Kansas City metro area. KCPD data shows between the start of 2022 through August 6, 2023 there have been 1,076 reported crashes on 71 from downtown to Three Trails Crossing. The number of crashes does not include online reports. Out of that number 11 crashes were fatal and 400 resulting in injuries."

Drivers weigh in on 71 highway as city aims to reconnect corridor Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas held a press conference Friday morning announcing improvements set to take place along 71 Highway.

Emanuel Cleaver Boulevard receives ‘Road Diet’ to become safer If you’ve driven past the Nelson Atkins Art Museum in the past week you’ve likely seen the road construction to Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard.

Here is a chance to give community feedback to with regards to safe Streets.

Kansas City Safe Streets Community Survey Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

🚧 Safer streets ahead! 🚧 We are installing 100 speed humps as part of the Vision Zero.

kcmo.gov/news

"Karen Moninger is a board member of the Rockhill Homes Association and was on the group's “Cleaver Committee,” where she and others worked with the city to come up with a design for the project. She thinks this project will benefit everyone in the neighborhood, and harkens back to a time when Cleaver Boulevard used to be a two-lane street. The association has been working for decades to return to that."

Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard, one of Kansas City’s deadliest streets, is finally getting redesigned Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard is one of Kansas City’s top 10 most dangerous streets. A project to change the road aims to reduce crashes, make pedestrians safer, and connect two of the city’s longest bike trails. It’s just now getting started after more than a year of delays.

Today we celibate the National
Disability Independence Day which celebrates the historic signing of the American's With Disabilities Act.

Not all disabilities are visible & everyone deserves a safe transportation system regardless of their abilities.

📸https://www.inclusionhub.com/

Please take a few moments to check out and sign this great application. Too many neighborhoods especially north of the river have no sidewalks.

"Platte County is applying for a federal grant for the complete street reconstruction of AA/Waukomis Drive from US 69/Vivion Road to Englewood Road.
The plan is to transform this road into a modern two lane urban complete street matching the improvements north of Englewood Road that will offer a sidewalk on the east side, a ten-foot multi-purpose path on the west side, on-street bike facilities, and street lights. This project will notably increase the safety of the children, cyclists, and pedestrians who are using it every day."

https://www.change.org/p/support-grant-application-for-the-reconstruction-of-aa-waukomis-drive

Send a message to learn more

" Federal dollars speed up work on safe streets, but money isn’t the only roadblock"

Often those roadblocks come in this form:

“It’s awful,” said Debbie Smithgall, who lives on Lancaster’s west side. “They've taken all of our parking places away.”

Federal dollars speed up work on safe streets, but money isn’t the only roadblock Cities across the country are using billions of dollars in federal funding to make streets safer. But in some places, that’s accelerating conflict with local residents who don’t like the changes.

#4 in the series.
"Wide roads with few cars make for fast speeds and fatal car crashes"

Kansas City knows which streets are most dangerous. Now, it’s trying to fix them Four-lane roads in Kansas City are a relic of urban sprawl in the 20th century. Now, they're emptier than ever, and traffic experts say that encourages dangerous driving.

#3 in the series.

"The case for roundabouts
A roundabout works by reducing the number of points in an intersection where two cars could collide. A traditional intersection has 20 to 30 conflict points. Roundabouts have eight."

x.com

"Traffic violence is a multifaceted problem. No one actor or entity can solve it. The combination of unsafe vehicles, unprepared drivers and hazardous streets require a multipronged approach. That’s why we shouldn’t place the burden for stopping traffic violence on the police alone."

It will take more than traffic enforcement to fight the danger on Kansas City streets | Opinion The combination of unsafe vehicles, unprepared drivers and hazardous streets require a multipronged approach. | Opinion

Part #2 of the 's series on traffic fatalities in Kansas City

Red light cameras could be coming to a Kansas City intersection near you. Do they make roads safer? T-bone crashes killed 38 people in Kansas City last year. City leaders hope that red light cameras could make crashes less deadly.

"In Kansas City, you’re more likely to die in car crashes than in almost every other major U.S. city. Nearly 200 people died on Kansas City streets in 2022 and 2023.

Traffic safety experts say it’s not because we’re terrible drivers. Rather, they point to poorly designed roads that encourage speeding and make car crashes deadlier."

Thank you to The Beacon Kansas City for their reporting!

Half of KC's traffic deaths in the last two years happened on these 10 streets Nearly 200 people died in Kansas City car crashes in 2022 and 2023. The numbers suggest speeds and intersections, particularly on Truman Road, pose the greatest danger.

"More tickets does not equate to safer streets,” Kelley added. “If we want safer streets, we have to build them. We can’t enforce our way to a safer transportation system, especially when it comes to serving pedestrians, cyclists, people with disabilities and transit riders.”

Enforcement is one tool, but it's a tool that only treats the symptoms and not the problem. We built our road network for speed, not for safety. If your road allows you to drive 100mph, then telling people to only drive 35mph, isn't really going to stop people driving 100mph. Enforcement is random, haphazard and subjective at best.

Transportation safety requires a multifaceted approach. We need roads that limit the speed at which you can drive. We need vehicles that can't exceed the posted speed limits. We need good, reliable and rapid public transportation. We need sidewalks, we need protected bicycle facilities, more driver education and enforcement.

Everyone deserves to make it home to their family, friends, and loved ones at the end of the day

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Kansas City roads are more deadly than ever. So why is traffic enforcement declining? Traffic deaths have been rising in Kansas City. Why have police efforts to curb unsafe driving been falling for years?

These are sobering findings. Every year we lose too many of our friends, family and neighbors on our roads. This year's losses are trending up 37% so far.

Forbes ranked Kansas City among the worst drivers in America. Here’s why

"Driver in custody after toddler and teenager injured in Kansas City crash Saturday"

Driver suspected of being impaired, passengers were not wearing seatbelts. 90% of our people suffering traffic fatalities from car crashes in KC this year have not been wearing seatbelts.

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Driver in custody after toddler and teenager injured in Kansas City crash Saturday The driver, who wasn’t injured in the crash, was taken into custody for driving while impaired.

Kansas City's Vision Zero press conference.

Vision Zero Update Press Conference - June 12, 2024 Kansas City is committed to using the recently approved $4 million to improve road diets and infrastructure to reduce traffic-related fatalities.

Kansas City representatives celebrate Vision Zero improvements in Brookside

Kansas City representatives celebrate Vision Zero improvements in Brookside

New curb extensions installed in the Crossroads District are making our streets safer! Part of Vision Zero, these bump outs reduce crossing distance for pedestrians, slow down turning vehicles, improve visibility, and create space for trees and plants.

Kcmo.gov/visionzero

"Kansas City’s lack of frequent, widespread public transportation makes it hard to reach the essentials, like doctor’s appointments and work. It also limits access to leisure without a car."

At Kansas City Current games, the city's lack of public transit for entertainment is on full display The Current’s new riverfront stadium was meant to encourage fans to take transit, bike or walk to games instead of driving But Kansas City still hasn’t caught up — and it’s left the team and other entertainment venues to fill in the gaps.

If you want to learn about what KCPD is doing about street racing, what limitations they have and what can be done about it.

Kansas City has a problem with illegal street racing. Solving it is complicated City ordinances outlaw watching or participating in street racing or “sideshows” where drivers engage in illegal stunts. But the issue persists.

Scarritt Neighborhood in the Historic Northeast has shared a couple engagement opportunities regarding traffic calming and mobility lanes along St. John Avenue.

With the current work on Independence Avenue, this is an exciting time to see the Northeast become a more accessible, safe place to travel outside of a car!

Public Engagement - St. John Traffic Calming

Street racing, sideshows continue to concern Kansas City residents.

Street racing, sideshows continue to concern Kansas City residents Specialized KCPD units will be on the lookout for street racing, sideshows, and people driving off-road vehicles and ATVs on city streets.

THE RIDE OF SILENCE WILL NOT BE QUIET

On the third Wednesday of May (15th) at 7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence will traverse and unite the globe as nothing before it. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways.

Meet Time: 6:30 p.m. for a brief ceremony

Ride Info: 6-miles starting at 7:00 p.m. to about 8:00 p.m.

Kansas City, MO: 192 W 62 Terrace (Trolley Trail Entrance)

We will ride in a slow, silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways.

This ride is lead by Cycling Kansas City

"First responders found a woman’s body lying near a vehicle when they arrived. The victim was later identified as 32-year-old Shamra Whitney.

Another woman being referred to as a person of interest has been detained for questioning in the killing."

One woman killed, another in custody near Quality Hill neighborhood The shooting call took place just before 7:40 a.m. in the 1100 block of Washington Street.

According to the KCPD, this is Kansas City traffic fatality No. 37 compared to 23 at this time last year

One killed, one critically injured in Northland crash According to Kansas City police, a gray Tesla 3 was traveling southbound on N. Platte Purchase Drive at a high rate of speed. The Tesla failed to negotiate the curve in the roadway, crossed the double yellow line and struck a gray Buick Encore head-on that was traveling northbound on N. Platte Purch...

Street racing and sideshows persist in KC despite police efforts. What’s the solution?

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Street racing and sideshows persist in KC despite police efforts. What’s the solution? Kansas City police have made arrests and given dozens of citations during illegal sideshows this spring. Car enthusiasts say there’s more work to be done.

Driver dies in train crash after going around rail crossing arms in south Kansas City

Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article287847840.html =cpy